Networking proves popular on two wheels

Business Cycles boasts a regular riding crew of between 70 and 75 people every Wednesday morning.

It was started almost three years ago by Mooloolaba bike shop Giant Sunshine Coast, formerly Spin City Cycles, and has attracted various sponsorship donations from local businesses and council so far.

Giant managing director Ian Vant said the focus was on cycling, building social relationships and informal networking, rather than in-your-face business referrals.

"We get so much positive feedback and the great thing has been to see how the riders have progressed and got fitter and fitter," he said.

"We have everyone back to our shop for coffee after the ride and a few people get up and tell the group what they do. Certainly, there has been some business done, but the main aim is for people to get together and ride, and look out for each other.

"There are some people starting to ride outside the Wednesdays, which is great."

Engineers, tradies, lawyers, photographers, accountants, stockbrokers, shopfitters, retailers, teachers, coffee shop owners and draughtsmen are among the diverse mix of men and women who regularly ride with the club.

There is no cost and there is a female-only ride on the first Wednesday of every month. The ride takes the cyclists along the same round-trip route each week, from Mooloolaba to Caloundra (30-45km, depending on fitness level).

The group is broken into three levels of fitness, with the faster bunch pushed further south to Pelican Waters before turning around.

This year, Mr Vant has big plans to win more corporate sponsorship for the group and to get 150 people along to the rides each week.

He would also like to expand the group to offer three or four networking evenings a year, and run an annual charity ride.